From Carrie Dann and Shawna ThomasHouse Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke further Tuesday on her call for Rep. Anthony Weiner to resign, saying that Congress’ responsibility to uphold a “high ethical standard” must trump the desires of its individual members.

Pelosi, speaking to reporters in the Capitol, said that she has explained to her colleagues in the House “why I came to the conclusion that with the love of his family, the confidence of his constituents and the need for help that congressman Weiner should resign from the Congress.”

"I'm never prouder of my colleagues than in times of challenge like this,” she said. “That our caucus understands our concern for the rights of the individual member but our higher responsibility to our country to uphold a high ethical standard in the Congress in the United States."

Pelosi’s Republican counterpart in the House, House Speaker John Boehner, also told reporters Tuesday that he believes Weiner should step down. And, in an interview with NBC’s Ann Curry taped yesterday, President Barack Obama indicated that if he were in Weiner’s position, he would resign.

Weiner, who has asked for a leave of absence from the House while he seeks “treatment,” has had little public support since he revealed that he had previously lied about sending lewd messages and photos to at least six women over the past three years.